OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER

CHURCH WATER MAIN BREAK
The drought this summer caused dry soil to shift, and this caused many water and sewer lines to break in our community and throughout the mid-west. Unfortunately, our Church’s main water line broke in mid-September, and the resulting repair cost of $15,157. Insurance does not cover this type of repair, and, our Church’s general budget does not allow for this type of unforeseen, large repair. Please consider making a special gift to the Church to help cover this expense. If you are able to contribute, please signify your gift by writing “Water Main Repair” in the memo section of your check. With your help we can make up this unexpected deficit in our 2012 budget. Thank you from the Trustee and Finance committees.

MEALS ON WHEELS
Several openings are still available for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels the week of Oct. 15-19th. Signup sheets are located on the table in the main entry way of the church. Thank you for your participation in this valuable program. This important service could not continue without volunteers such as yourself!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

In an effort to make FUMC Youth Group a weekly event for the youth of FUMC, we are looking for volunteers that would be willing to give of their time and talents on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00 pm once per month. These volunteers would lead the youth in Bible study, games, and activities on their given Sunday. The youth are the future of the church and are worth investing our time and energy. Plus, they are a great group of kids that are fun to be around and that have a lot of great ideas for our church, community, and world!! If God moves your heart to help in the faith development of our youth, please call Katie or Brian Bishop at 641-828-6933.

KNOXVILLE CROP WALK

On Sunday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m. the Knoxville CROP Walk will take place. Walkers from our church include Deb Harvey, Brent Hanna, the Hibma family, the Purvis Family, and the Redden Family. If you would like to donate please contact one of these walkers and/or make your check payable to CWS/CROP. $25 can provide 50 baby chicks to a village, providing protein and income. $50 can provide seeds and tools to help 3 families start a garden. $110 can provide emergency food for a family of five for a month. $150 can send six women to literacy classes and empower them for life. MSPS

ITEMS NEEDED

MSPS is in need of paper towel tubes, toilet paper tubes, and milk jug caps for craft projects. If you have some to donate, please drop them off in the box in the Narthex. Thanks!

FUN N FITNESS IS RETURNING!

Join us on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in East Fellowship Hall, beginning October 3rd. Men and women 55+ can enjoy 1 hour of fellowship, short devotions, and exercises to increase flexibility and balance. For questions call Sherry Haney or Bonnie Crook.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY (OCTOBER 7)

World Communion Sunday is one of the six church wide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. World Communion Sunday provides scholarships for U.S. racial and ethnic-minority students and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels. Your participation in this Special Sunday offering is vital to developing United Methodist leaders around the world. Your gifts provide scholarships for individuals who might not be able to pursue higher education otherwise.

2ND ANNUAL FUMC BASKETBALL ACADEMY

Calling all 5th and 6th grade girls and boys for the 2nd annual FUMC Basketball Academy that will take place November 5-January 23. Any and all skill levels are encouraged to participate. This is a youth basketball skills and development program in a Christian environment with fun, fellowship, and teaching of basketball skills and good character! Girls will practice Mondays and Wednesdays and boys will practice Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-5:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall with transportation from school available if necessary. To register or find out more information visit www.kifumc.org and click on “Youth” or stop by the church office. In addition, all participants and parents are encouraged to attend an orientation meeting, Sunday October 14 at 6:30 at FUMC.

EXPERIENCE THE WALK TO EMMAUS

The Walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian renewal with three days of singing, learning, laughing, worshiping, reflecting, praying, and participating in small groups. Discussions center around 15 talks given by laity and clergy. These talks present the theme of God’s grace, how that grace comes alive in the Christian community, and how it is expressed in the world. You’ll also discover how grace is real in your life, you live a life of grace, and how you bring that grace to others. You will have the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion and to understand more fully the body of Christ. You will experience God’s grace through prayers and acts of anonymous service offered by the Emmaus community. You will leave with an experience of Christian love in action that will equip you for new levels of grace-filled service and leadership.

Emmaus is for the development of Christians who:
• Are members of a local church
• Have a desire to strengthen their spiritual lives
• May have unanswered questions about prayer, study, and sharing their faith
• Understand that being a Christian involves responsibility
• Are willing to dedicate their everyday life to God in an ongoing manner
Ankeny Men’s Walk October 18-21, 2012
Ankeny Women’s Walk October 25-28, 2012
Marshalltown Men’s Walk October 25-28, 2012
Marshalltown Women’s Walk November 8-11, 2012
West Des Moines Men’s Walk February 7-10, 2013
West Des Moines Women’s February 14-17, 2013

Contact Pastor Lane, Pastor Brent, Jack Crook, Barb Johnson, or Joyce Russell for more information.

THE NEED FOR TRANSFORMATION

James Bryan Smith will be at the Vermeer Global Pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7:00-8:30 p.m. to present on “The Need for Transformation”. This is a free event that is open to the public. Jim has been a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas since 1990. He is also a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation as well as Director of The Apprentice Institute on Christian Formation at Friends University. Jim was mentored by two great Christian writers, Richard Foster, who was his teacher from 1981-1984 and Dallas Willard with whom he co-taught a course for 10 years at Fuller Seminary. Jim was a founding member of Renovare, a spiritual renewal ministry started by Richard J. Foster and has been a popular speaker for Renovare conferences across the country. He received his BA in Religion and Philosophy in Friends University in 1984, and then got his M.Div. from Yale University Divinity School in 1987. He is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. In 1997, he received his Doctorate in Ministry from Fuller Seminary. Jim is the author of nine books including Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, Room of Marvels, and The Kingdom and the Cross.

SALAD LUNCHEON WITH GUEST SPEAKER

The women of the FUMC are invited to a Salad Luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 13 at 409 S. Park Lane Drive. The guest speaker is Ann Fields, President of William Penn University in Oskaloosa. She will be speaking on the topic of "Rwandan Women Struggling to Survive". We need to RSVP by Monday October 8. Please let Pat Haning (842-27900) know before Oct. 8 if you are

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

After a summer break we are ready to kick off a new year of FUMC Youth Group! All youth in 7th through 12 grades are invited to join us on Sunday, October 14 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Marion County Park (shelter by the covered bridge) as we kick off a new year of youth group. In case of rain we will meet at the church. All youth are encouraged to invite their friends to this event and every Sunday. A full schedule of youth group dates will be given out on the 14th. We hope to see all of our youth at this event!!

THANK YOU

A sincere thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. I am home mending. Marilyn Simpson

A big THANK YOU to everyone that donated school supplies to MSPS this fall!! Your help and support are greatly appreciated! Thanks again from the staff and students of MSPS.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Phyllis Force on the birth of her new great grandson on Wednesday, September 19th.





CONDOLENCES

Condolences to Jenny Dircks and Ellen Dircks and family on the loss of her husband/father, Dick Dircks.

Condolences to Frances Kirkwood and family on the loss of her son Larry Kirkwood.

Condolences to Irene Floyd and family on the passing of her husband Thurman Floyd.

FALL GIVING CAMPAIGN
Please watch for info on our fall gift giving campaign and join us in a faith sharing spiritual adventure of generosity!




REFORMATION DAY OCT. 31 - BEYOND LUTHER
At this time of year, we hear much about Martin Luther. But many other reformers also had lasting effects on the Christian church. You may want to do more reading about them to learn about their lives and legacies.
• John Huss (1369-1415) was a Catholic priest from the Czech Republic. He opposed indulgences and emphasized right living over sacraments. Huss was burned at the stake. • Swiss priest Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) was a father of the Reformed tradition. He taught that people should believe and practice only what’s in the Bible.
• Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), a contemporary of Luther, played a large role in the English Reformation, leading to the formation of the Anglican/Episcopal tradition. He was burned at the stake.
• Menno Simons (1496-1561), founder of the Mennonite Church, taught believers' baptism, nonresistance and symbolic Eucharist.
• John Calvin (1509-1564) introduced new forms of liturgy and church government, led the church in Geneva and taught the doctrine of predestination. His work influenced the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions.
• George Fox (1624-1691) founded the Society of Friends (Quakers), emphasized the Inner Light of Christ and took frequent missionary journeys.
• John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of Methodism, taught the Arminian doctrine of free will and emphasized sanctification.

MSPS HOAGIE SALES

The annual MSPS Hoagie Sale is starting the first week in October. The hoagies are a soft bun filled with roast beef, turkey, ham and cheese for only $3.50 each. They work great for a quick meal or can be frozen and enjoyed later. Orders must be placed by Sunday, October 14th. The hoagies can be picked up on Thursday, October 25 after 6:00 p.m. in West Fellowship Hall at the church. The annual hoagie sale is the largest fundraiser for MSPS and all funds are used to improve the program and update supplies and toys. If you have questions call the preschool at 641-842-2193.